I got the house sprayed for bugs earlier this week, and struck up a conversation with the technician who did the job. He was not a believer, but he was friendly. He challenged me with the classic, “Why does evil exist if there is a God?”
This is commonly referred to as the problem of evil within apologetics. I am not a trained apologist, nor a credentialed theologian. But, I do believe all Christians should be ready to give a respectful defense of the hope we have, as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15.
Why Does Evil Exist if There is a God?
This was a question that I myself raised against the existence of God when I was a non-believer. Answering it for someone else was a good exercise. Though he didn’t come to faith through our interaction, I hope he walked away with a stone in his shoe.
Oftentimes, I see the problem of evil linked to suffering, as well. The existence of either is confusing for believers and non-believers, alike. The argument against an all good, all powerful God goes like this:
- God is all good
- God is all powerful
- Evil and suffering exist
How could a God who is all powerful and all good allow the existence of evil and suffering? The conclusion is that the God presented in the Bible is logically inconsistent. But, that overlooks another key point that most of us don’t like to accept.
- God has a morally sufficient reason for allowing evil
Before getting started, we should address the differences between moral evil and natural evil. Both cause suffering, it’s true. But, when addressing a good-faith challenge to your belief, it can help to recognize the difference.
Moral evil is a result of human action. Murder, theft, rape, etc. Natural evil refers to suffering that is caused by natural events or processes. Earthquakes, hurricanes, disease, or famine.
Moral Evil
Why does moral evil exist? Free will. God created us to love him and reveal his glory. Love is not possible under compulsion. So, he imbued us with the ability to choose.
This freedom of choice which mankind has been given is such a high priority to God, that he submits his own desires to respect it. God allows the most heinous evils that we can think of because to intervene would violate free will.
He does not do so lightly. God is not callous or uncaring. So, he works through the suffering that humans create to reveal Himself. He offers hope and comfort. He draws close to those who are brokenhearted.
It is easy to hate God for the things he allows. A loving God wouldn’t allow children to be harmed, right? But the hard truth, even for Christians, is that God’s righteousness doesn’t stop where yours does. It goes further and deeper than we can grasp.
If God were to prevent moral evil, we would be fleshly automatons unendingly crying out His praise. Your life would immediately cease to be your own. And, you would feel glad of it. It would feel incredible. Life-changing.
God’s whole purpose is that we should love like Him. That in doing so, we would reveal His glory. That cannot happen under compulsion. Compulsion can only produce the appearance of love.
Natural Evil
Why does natural evil exist? The world is broken. All of creation has suffered the effects of mankind’s free will choice to sin. Evil exists in nature because the world around us reflects the choices we have made.
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. And along with it came pain, suffering, and death. The world we inhabit still suffers the consequences of their choice, and the curse that resulted from it.
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Romans 8:20-22 (ESV)
It is hard for me to accept that God will not save the life of every child who falls ill. This has been difficult for believers throughout human history. Nevertheless, He does not.
When we see suffering occur in the world as a result of natural evil, it can be hard to believe that God is in control. Cancer sucks. Natural disasters are heartbreaking. But, God allows them.
And, again, He works through the suffering. He reveals his glory in the way that we respond to these events, caring for strangers and friends and family alike. He offers hope to those who have lost everything else.
How to Respond to Challenges
My conversation with the Terminix technician was pleasant and respectful. That’s how it should be. We’re going to face challenges to our faith like his question, “Why does evil exist if there is a God?” So, please remember: what you say is only as important as how you say it.
That’s why Peter specifically told his readers to respond to challenges with gentleness and respect. Even in correcting others, we are still called to do it out of love.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:14-16
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about apologetics, there are many good resources out there. William Lane Craig and Reasonable Faith, Greg Koukl at Stand to Reason, J Warner Wallace and Cold Case Christianity are all good places to see 2 Corinthians 10:5 put into practice.
If you’re newer to the faith, I found CS Lewis’ book Mere Christianity to be an excellent, cross-denominational primer. It offered reasonable explanations for many of the things that Christians believe. And, bonus, it is written in a very approachable way.
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